How the heck do yall transition?!

[SimpleKomplexity]

I had the sengelase twists put it. I just took them out after a little less than a month. I have about 2 inches of newgrowth and I'm 3 months post. I CAN'T PUT MY FINGERS THROUGH MY HEAD. AT ALL!

I know I'm tryna lay off direct heat, but I flat ironed it on 375 to try to get my roots straight. They puffed right back up and my hair smells burnt. Just a mess.

After a detangled after taking the braids down, I first deep conditioned with Keracare Dandruff Conditioner just to get some slip. Then I washed it out and made a concoction of 2 tablespoons of GVP Joico Kpak, 2 tablespoons of pure honey, 3 tablespoons of olive oil, and 4 tablespoons of Silk Elements Moisturizing Treatment to get some moisture/protein back in my head.

My hair felt softer but STILL hard. I look like a troll doll. This is the reason why I don't think I could never make it natural. I don't wanna have to look a mess to get there, and I don't want to go bald...my head is too long for that.

WTF am I gonna do to look more presentable...besides going to the creamy crack? (I'm thinking real hard about that though!)

 

[LaFemmeNaturelle]

lol with patience and transitioning-friendly styles (buns, braidouts, twistouts, braids)

 

[mzsophisticated26]

I am going throught the same problem now and I am texlaxed and I stretch 10-12wks. I am always itching to texlax at week 11. right now I am about to be 15wks post and I am going crazy.

 

[Janet']

...it ain't for everybody, lol!!!

 

[soon2bsl]

lol with patience and transitioning-friendly styles (buns, braidouts, twistouts, braids)

I agree! Also, sew ins, or crochets to hide your hair for a while when you don't want to deal with 2 textures, or if you just simply want an easy get up and go style. Also EVCO and EVOO ( I don't measure how much) mixed with your conditioner works wonders to soften the new growth. Oil rinses are great before detangling. Lots of conditioner when detangling too, and washing in sections makes it a lot easier too.

ETA: Also you have to make that mental transition as well that it's what you really want to do and why you want to go natural. I remember I read that on the board about "mentally transitioning" when I first joined but didn't really understand it until after I got my final relaxer last June ( I was 4 months posted when I relaxed)...that I was like "Ok, wish I didn't just get that relaxer! I'm really going to go natural now, no matter what."

 

[shasha8685]

I've been wearing braids since April and for my down periods I wear a (curly) phony pony. It is a easy low maintenance style. You can also do flexirod sets.

 

[SimpleKomplexity]

I've been wearing braids since April and for my down periods I wear a (curly) phony pony. It is a easy low maintenance style. You can also do flexirod sets.

I didn't think about getting a curly phony phony. That might be my best bet. I want a sew in, but I don't want to pay LOT of money, so I'm waiting for awhile. I could get a phony phony in between waiting for a sew in. What would I do about my edges though?

I know a lot of transitioners use the scarf method to get their edges straight, but I couldn't seem to get it to work. Anyone have any tips

 

[SimpleKomplexity]

...it ain't for everybody, lol!!!

LOL I'm finding that out now! I thought I was gonna be able to just rollerset my hair like usual, but my hair was not having it. I can't even hardly get a comb through this hair! I think transitioning may be 80% mental and 20% physical, but I dunno if I'm able to deal with it mentally yet. I'ma try to hold out and see

 

[Freespirit02]

I transitioned for a long,hard,painfully...six months..lol! totally being sarcastic. I couldn't do it any longer. I kept my hair in braids and sew-ins..and sometimes wigs. Keep your head up..you will make it!

 

[Yoshi3329]

Co-sign on braids. I'd like to add ceramides and porosity control. It's the only thing that got me though seven months so far.

 

[Janet']

LOL I'm finding that out now! I thought I was gonna be able to just rollerset my hair like usual, but my hair was not having it. I can't even hardly get a comb through this hair! I think transitioning may be 80% mental and 20% physical, but I dunno if I'm able to deal with it mentally yet. I'ma try to hold out and see

OP,

This is so true! What is good for relaxed hair is not for natural...It really is much more mental than physical. When a woman BC's, there are psychological issues that she may have to deal with (ideals of beauty, etc.), but with long-term transitioning there are also psychological issues that might have to be addressed (ideals of beauty, etc.). You are on the right track though, "the first step is admitting...", lol.

 

[shasha8685]

I didn't think about getting a curly phony phony. That might be my best bet. I want a sew in, but I don't want to pay LOT of money, so I'm waiting for awhile. I could get a phony phony in between waiting for a sew in. What would I do about my edges though?

I know a lot of transitioners use the scarf method to get their edges straight, but I couldn't seem to get it to work. Anyone have any tips

Yep! Curly phony ponies are awesome for that stage! You're aren't all natural so a phony puff may not look right but you have too much new growth to slap a stick straight phony pony in.

Since I work out a lot, I co-wash my hair and while my hair is wet, I gather my hair into a ponytail. I then put Ecostyler gel on my edges and tie with a scarf. I have found that this is the only way to keep my edges down. My hair has to be wet while I'm applying the gel or else you can forget it! Also, wearing a curly pony gives you a little more leeway. Again, since you aren't trying to make your hair match a stick straight phony pony you can just focus on getting the edges to lie down. I hope that makes sense.....

 

[LadyMacgyver]

I didn't think about getting a curly phony phony. That might be my best bet. I want a sew in, but I don't want to pay LOT of money, so I'm waiting for awhile. I could get a phony phony in between waiting for a sew in. What would I do about my edges though?

I know a lot of transitioners use the scarf method to get their edges straight, but I couldn't seem to get it to work. Anyone have any tips

That's what I am doing now after I got my braids taken out and it really helps me.. I just wash DC and DC with steam and sometimes that make my detangling process so much better and I just put my hair in a damp bun and go.. I put that pony tail on and go..

Clair hair has 1.99 shipping I am about to go order more phony pony tails.. I have a pic on my page of the pony tail I am wearing now

 

[NaturalEnigma]

In the beginning of my transition, my hair was also difficult to deal with, but as I adding more moisture into my regimen my hair became more manageable. I also noticed the products my hair LOVED before I transitioned were not the same products my hair likes now. Most of the time I rocked a bun and just finger combed the front and back. It will get easier, it just takes time and patience.

 

[daydreem2876]

I take it week by week. I finally have a good product rotation and treat my hair as if it were all natural opposed to relaxed or having two textures. Overall, I think the key is conditioning and a good moisturizer. Three product that have gotten me through, are AOWC conditioner, Giovanni Direct Leave in and Qhemet's AOHC. I can change up everything else but there three. A

Since braids and weaves are not for me and I don't have my flat iron/blow out/ hair straightening game down, I choose to leave that to the professionals. I have discovered trips to the Egyptian salon to have my hair blown straight are just the ticket to give me and my hair a break from one another. In going, I have learned the key to straight hair is more about the technique and much less about heat.

 

[glamazon386]

Low manipulation styles become your friend quickly when transitioning lol

Eta: About the edges - I have to use gel that's the only thing that will keep them down. I used to use EQP Glaze when I was relaxed but after a certain point my hair just laughed at it.

 

[NikkiQ]

OP, I'm at the 3 month mark in my transition and I TOTALLY understand what you're talking about with it being more mental than physical. Sometimes you gotta look your hair in the mirror and say "dangit...you're not gonna drive me to the creamy crack!!!"

For most of the time so far, I've relied on my trusty wavy phony pony to blend into the waves that seem to be popping up like crazy. For the rest of the year, I'll be using sew-ins to give my hair some protection from my hands that tend to touch it all the time now

 

[-PYT]

patience and the right products. If you really want it, you will make it through no matter what

 

[SimpleKomplexity]

OP, I'm at the 3 month mark in my transition and I TOTALLY understand what you're talking about with it being more mental than physical. Sometimes you gotta look your hair in the mirror and say "dangit...you're not gonna drive me to the creamy crack!!!"

For most of the time so far, I've relied on my trusty wavy phony pony to blend into the waves that seem to be popping up like crazy. For the rest of the year, I'll be using sew-ins to give my hair some protection from my hands that tend to touch it all the time now

I'm finna say forget it and slap this satin cap back on it and try again tommorrow or something! LOL This is rediculous. And I did a DC treatment yesterday...I don't think i washed all of it out. It had honey in it, and the nape of my head feels all sticky and ish. *shakes my head* I'ma have to figure something out. I need to buy some Eco Styler Gel

 

[glamazon386]

I'm finna say forget it and slap this satin cap back on it and try again tommorrow or something! LOL This is rediculous. And I did a DC treatment yesterday...I don't think i washed all of it out. It had honey in it, and the nape of my head feels all sticky and ish. *shakes my head* I'ma have to figure something out. I need to buy some Eco Styler Gel

When I was transitioning I wore a phony pony quite a bit. IIRC, I used a heavy conditioner to pull it back and then put some gel on it. I think I posted a thread about it back then. People responded with suggestions for getting the hair to lay down. Let me see if I can find it.

ETA: http://www.longhaircareforum.com/showthread.php?t=100183&highlight=phony+puff

 

[MizzBrit]

i understand..aroung 6-7 months post i was wanting a relaxer.the key is to keep the hair in protective styles and treat it like natural hair...once my braids came down.soaked my hair in conditioner,detangled and plaited it up..the next day my ng would be tangle free and i would start on the next set of braids..or do a phony bun.. you can even try a wig..try using eco gel for edges.

 

[lexielex]

I agree with everything above. I'm just about 5months post. I wash and dc with moisturizing dc. Plait it up and let it airdry and pull it back the rest of the week.

 

[**SaSSy**]

Transitioning is a very long process not only physically, but mentally. And unfortunately it's not for everyone. The styles you once did while relaxed will not work anymore, or the products you used won't work anymore either. You might want to check out fotki and youtube pages to get some idea. One thing I would suggest using little to no heat while transition because in the long run that would cause more harm than good. You really should do more air-drying styles such as braid-outs, braids, twist, buns, etc.

 

[fashion87]

Hello there,
I'm a long term transitioner(13 months)......and let me tell you a thing or twenty...PRAY PRAY MEDITATE PRAY...lmao

Its been hard as hell cuz I have three diff textures bone straight at the very ends, texlaxed towards the end, and 5 to 6 inches of newgrowth. I've had some hissy fits along the way though, but when you feel like your about to get that relaxer or get a buzz cut.....just step away from the hair and breathe to keep your compsure.

Trust and believe you'll be fine cuz if I can do it ANYONE CAN. Stay strong lady!!

 

[Ms.Christ3n]

I cowashed and wet bunned...slicked them edges down with some eco styler.
In between the buns I got kinky twists and flat ironed sometimes too.

 

[chrisanddonniesmommy]

I'm early in my transition. But, I guess, I will make it patiently through by using protective and low-manipulative styles.

 

[SherylsTresses]

As for me, using conditioner mixed with EVOO as a daily moisturizer.

 

[Janet']

As for me, using conditioner mixed with EVOO as a daily moisturizer.

That's what I use on my natural hair, lol!

 

[africanqueen456]

weaves weaves and more weaves..That and briadouts...In the first couple of months I WAS REALLY ANNOYED at the new growth but then I disciovered using oils to to d.c./detangle and washing is sections

 

[Leeda.the.Paladin]

I had the sengelase twists put it. I just took them out after a little less than a month. I have about 2 inches of newgrowth and I'm 3 months post. I CAN'T PUT MY FINGERS THROUGH MY HEAD. AT ALL!

I know I'm tryna lay off direct heat, but I flat ironed it on 375 to try to get my roots straight. They puffed right back up and my hair smells burnt. Just a mess.

After a detangled after taking the braids down, I first deep conditioned with Keracare Dandruff Conditioner just to get some slip. Then I washed it out and made a concoction of 2 tablespoons of GVP Joico Kpak, 2 tablespoons of pure honey, 3 tablespoons of olive oil, and 4 tablespoons of Silk Elements Moisturizing Treatment to get some moisture/protein back in my head.

My hair felt softer but STILL hard. I look like a troll doll. This is the reason why I don't think I could never make it natural. I don't wanna have to look a mess to get there, and I don't want to go bald...my head is too long for that.

WTF am I gonna do to look more presentable...besides going to the creamy crack? (I'm thinking real hard about that though!)

I can't put my hands through my hair either unless it's flat ironed. The thing is: I don't expect to anymore. I think a lot of the problems that people who are transitioning have is that they expect their hair to act like it did when they were relaxing.

I would wager that most folks with kinky hair can't get their hands through it. I agree with what other said in this post already: Time to start mentally transitioning (and that takes awhile), stick with easier transitioning styles. When I say easier, I mean things that work with what your hair wants to do instead of against it (heat is against). Twist n curls are awesome IMO.

That's my advice from my own experience